Electronic Engine Control Unit And Method Of Operation

ABSTRACT

An electrical engine comprising an engine valve, where the engine valve opens and closes upon activation; a piston connected to the engine valve, where the engine valve opens and closes a set of intake and exhaust ports within the piston; a solenoid attached to the engine valve, where the solenoid receives a first signal; an electronic engine control unit housed within the electrical engine, where the electronic engine control unit sends the first signal to the solenoid; a first signal wire between the electronic engine control unit and the solenoid, where the first signal wire permits passage of the first signal; an engine sensor connected to the piston, where the engine sensor gages how the piston operates; and a second signal wire between the electronic engine control unit and the engine sensor, wherein the second signal wire sends a second signal from the sensor to the electronic engine control unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an engine control unit that replaces the driving mechanisms of a mechanical engine with an electronic control unit wherein the electronic control unit operates with an electrical timing chain to send and receive signals from the engine.

2. Description of Related Art

An internal combustion engine is the standard engine build into vehicles and portable machinery. The internal combustion engine operates by burning fuel to power the movement of pistons within cylinders that make up the block of the engine. Presently, large, bulky mechanical parts operate internal combustion engines. These parts are heavy causing excess fuel to be burned to compensate not only for the weight of the vehicle but also the weight of the engine itself Additionally, the mechanical parts of the internal combustion engine cause timing inefficiencies and increase rotary mass for the surrounding machine.

It would be desirable in the art to provide an engine that eliminates many of the bulky, mechanical components for more efficient and lightweight operation. It would also be beneficial in the art to provide an engine that utilizes an electronic control rather than mechanical control to activate the essential components of the engine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the purpose of the present disclosure is to provide an engine control unit that replaces the driving mechanisms of a mechanical engine with an electronic control unit wherein the electronic control unit operates with an electrical timing chain to send and receive signals from the engine.

To achieve the above purpose, in an aspect of the present invention, an electrical engine is disclosed comprising an engine valve, where the engine valve opens and closes upon activation; a piston connected to the engine valve, where the engine valve opens and closes a set of intake and exhaust ports within the piston; a solenoid attached to the engine valve, where the solenoid receives a first signal; an electronic engine control unit housed within the electrical engine, where the electronic engine control unit sends the first signal to the solenoid; a first signal wire connected between the electronic engine control unit and the solenoid, where the first signal wire permits passage of the first signal; an engine sensor connected to the piston, where the engine sensor gages how the piston operates; and a second signal wire connected between the electronic engine control unit and the engine sensor, wherein the second signal wire sends a second signal from the sensor to the electronic engine control unit.

These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a pushrod engine in accordance with the prior art of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of an electrical engine in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram of a cycle for an electronic engine in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention relates to an engine control unit that replaces the driving mechanisms of a mechanical engine with an electronic control unit wherein the electronic control unit operates with an electrical timing chain to send and receive signals from the engine. The present invention provides an electronic engine control unit to electronically control the functions of an engine. The electronic engine control unit directs the components of the engine by sending electronic signals through a set of high temperature wiring to an electrically activated solenoid. The solenoid in turn opens and closes the engine valves thereby eliminating the need for parts such as camshafts, pushrods, valve springs and rocker arms. The electronic engine control unit may be easily integrated into new engine models as well as retrofitting into existing engines. By utilizing electrical control of an engine rather than mechanical control the user decreases rotary mass and saves money on fuel because of the decreased engine weight.

Tuning now descriptively to the drawings, referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a pushrod engine (100) is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 illustrates the most popular engine configuration for gasoline and diesel engines. At a top portion of the pushrod engine (100) is a rocker arm (104). The rocker arm (104) attaches to a pushrod (102) at one end and an engine valve (108) at an opposing end. At an upper portion of the engine valve (108) is a valve spring (106). Attached to a lower end of the pushrod (102) is a tappet (114) followed by a camshaft (112). During use the camshaft (112) rotates to move the tappet (112) which in turn moves the pushrod (102). As the pushrod (102) moves it causes the rocker arm (104) to pivot. As the rocker arm (104) pivots the engine valve (108) opens and closes thereby opening and closing the intake and exhaust ports into the piston (110). Once the piston (110) is activated it then activates the camshaft (112) to complete the cycle of the pushrod engine (100). The pushrod engine (100) works as an advanced mechanical machine each element relying on the next for activation.

Accordingly, referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of an electrical engine (200) is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The electrical engine (200) includes the engine valve (202) and the piston (214) just as in the pushrod engine illustrated in FIG. 1. The engine valve (202) activates the intake and exhaust ports of the piston (214) just as in the mechanical pushrod engine. Unlike the pushrod engine, the electrical engine (200) does not include the camshaft, the pushrod, valve spring or the rocker arm. Instead the electrical engine (200) utilizes an electronic engine control unit (208) to power the components of the electrical engine (200). Within the electronic engine control unit (208) is an internal electrical timing chain to operate the electrical impulses and signals sent and received by the electronic engine control unit (208).

The electronic engine control unit (208) includes a pair of signal wires (206, 210) to send and receive electrical impulses to and from the electrical engine (200). The pair of signal wires (206, 210) comprises a first signal wire (206) and a second signal wire (210). The first signal wire (206) and the second signal wire (210) are temperature resistant wires to endure the high temperatures within the electrical engine (200). During use, the first signal wire (206) permits a first signal to be sent to a solenoid (204). Once the first signal reaches the solenoid (204) the engine valve (202) is activated. The solenoid (204) is a plunger type electronic solenoid. Next, the engine valve (202) activates the piston (214) which in turn activates an engine sensor (212). After activation of the engine sensor (212), a second signal is sent from the engine sensor (212) back to the electronic engine control unit (208).

The electronic control unit (208) is housed within the electronic engine (200) and is about the size of a shoebox. By utilizing the electronic control unit (208) the excess mechanical parts (i.e., the pushrod, rocker arm, valve spring, camshaft and tappet) are eliminated. Also, the rotary mass and timing inefficiencies are reduced. Finally, by eliminating the excess mechanical components the electrical engine (200) is lighter thereby using less gas and operating more efficiently. The electronic control unit (208) may be implemented into a variety of engines including automobiles, power generators, and other small industrial engines.

Referring to FIG. 3 a flow diagram of a cycle for an electronic (300) is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The cycle (300) starts with an electrical timing chain within the electronic engine control unit (302). From the electronic engine control unit the first signal is sent through the temperature resistant wire (304). Next, the first signal is received by the solenoid (306). The solenoid is a plunger type electronic solenoid to open and close the engine valve precisely on cue (308). Once the engine components are active, the engine sensor gages the performance of the piston and the electrical engine (310). Finally, the engine sensor feeds back the second signal to the electrical timing chain and engine controls within the electronic engine control unit (312). Once the second signal is received, the electrical timing chain determines how the electrical engine is operating, and the electrical timing chain is started again.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

1. An electrical engine comprising: an engine valve, where said engine valve opens and closes upon activation; a piston connected to said engine valve, where said engine valve opens and closes a set of intake and exhaust ports within said piston; a solenoid attached to said engine valve, where said solenoid receives a first signal; an electronic engine control unit housed within said electrical engine, where said electronic engine control unit sends said first signal to said solenoid; a first signal wire connected between said electronic engine control unit and said solenoid, where said first signal wire permits passage of said first signal; an engine sensor connected to said piston, where said engine sensor gages how said piston operates; and a second signal wire connected between said electronic engine control unit and said engine sensor, wherein said second signal wire sends a second signal from said sensor to said electronic engine control unit.
 2. The electrical engine according to claim 1, wherein said electronic engine control unit includes an electrical timing chain to operate said electrical engine.
 3. The electrical engine according to claim 1, wherein said first signal wire and said second signal wire are temperature resistant wires.
 4. The electrical engine according to claim 1, wherein said solenoid is a plunger type electronic solenoid.
 5. A method of operation for an electrical engine comprising the steps of: starting an electrical timing chain within an electronic engine control unit; sending a first signal from said electronic engine control unit through a first signal wire to a solenoid; activating an engine valve after said solenoid receives said first signal; activating a piston connected to said engine valve; gauging how said piston is performing by an engine sensor connected to said piston; and sending a second signal from said engine sensor to said timing chain within said engine control unit through a second signal wire. 